Openness and Sustainability in Canary Wharf

Barclays World HeadquartersLondon, UK

“HOK’s distinctive building upholds and continues the Canary Wharf commitment to quality but also provides Barclays with a modern, flexible and functional occupancy which fulfills their business needs.”

John Pagano
Managing Director, Canary Wharf Contractors Ltd.

Barclays wanted its headquarters to provide an efficient, high-performance environment.

The move to this new building created the opportunity for an open design to bring about a culture change that would encourage more interaction among Barclays’ staff members who had previously been scattered across multiple locations.

Five vertically stacked, south-facing atria maximize natural light in the office areas and provide space for a relaxed, informal working environment. The U-shaped floor plates create visual connections among occupants.

In the event of an emergency, the internal stair cores can accommodate the entire population of the building. This “invacuation” strategy has influenced post-9/11 building design in many major cities.

Below street level, the building provides connections to major retail facilities and to the Canary Wharf Underground Station.